Machine for coating cores



Jan. 25,

H. G. WALKER ET AL MACHINE FOR COATING CORES Filed March 29, 1922 2 Shets-Sheec 1 MW U 1 lwlllll I l l I ll fizVenTars Howard GWaifter fllerTIMarU/E Jan. 25 1927.

H. G. WALKER ET AL MACHINE FOR COATING CORES Filed March 29, 1922 Im/emws 2261mm GMZ/rer fliberT TMarch Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD GEORGE WALKER, on BEEWYN, AND-ALBERT THOMAS MARCH, 01' CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOBS TO WESTERN ELECTRIC YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK COMPANY, INCORPORATED, NEW- MACHINE Eon conrme CORES.

Application filed March 29, 1922. Serial No. 547',924.

This invention relates to a machine for coating cores in strand form, andmore par ticularly to a machine which utilizes pulp as a' coating material. 5 The invention has as its primary object the production of a machine for coating a core with pulp in such manner that the pulp conforms with and is attached to the core without the use of any adhesive substance.

The apparatus shown in the drawing is an embodiment of the invention adapted for coating a core in strand form with pulp, and may be used to advantage in. the insulating of electrical conductors. The in- 15 vention is not, however, limited to a machine of the type shown nor is the embodiment illustrated limited to the coating of metallic strands. butthe strands may be made of any material upon which it is desirable to form a pul coating, and it is to be understood that t e invention is only to be limited by the scope-of the appended claims. The

term core in strand form as used in the specification and appended claims, refers to a core having the'configuration resembling a fibre, hair, filament, string, small cord, or the like, or in the nature of a rope consisting of fibres, yarns orv wires twisted together.

More specifically, an. embodiment ofithe invention comprises a mechanism for bringing the core to be coated into intimate contact with a liquid containing pulp whereby pulp is applied thereto, removing the core the drum is maintained lower than the-level of the mixture in the receptacle so that a rality of squeezing rolls between which from the pulp mixture to permit the de posited pulp to cling to the core; a mecha-- core. The level of the pulp mixture within circulation of pulp mixture is maintained into the drum through the foraniinous ortion, which causes the pulp to be strained onto the foraminous portion andapplied to the core supported thereon.- ,The core with the pulp deposited thereon is withdrawn from the top of thedrum andsuspended in such a manner that the pulp deposit is caused to cling to the core due'to gravity the surface tension of the liquid in the pulp mixture, and the felting, action of the pulp fibers. In place of the mechanism just described for applying pulp to, the core the wet 'end of a Fourdrinier machine may be employed or this operation may be performed by passing the core beneath the discharged opemng ofa pipe feeding the pulp mixture. Any other suitable means may be employed for applying the pulp to the core without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

A successful form of mechanism for removing the greater portion of the liquid from the pulp on the core consists of a pluthe core with the pulp clinging thereto is passed. It has been found desirable to provide a single auxiliary roll of foramin'ous material over which the core is passed in advance of its subjection to the squeezing rolls in order that the free liquid, so to speak, in the pulp mixture is drained ofi in a manner which will not cause the ulp coating to be washed oflz' of the core. his auxiliary roll, however, may be dispensed with if other means is provided for removing the free liquid which may in fact be removed by permitting it to drain off by gravity. The squeezing rolls referred to above not only remove the greater portion of the liquid from the pulp'on the core, but also form the pulp into a ribbon extending at opposite sides of the core.

The mechanism for forming the pulp around the core and causing it to conform to the shape thereof comprises a air of spring pressed plates which engage t e' core longitudinally and at opposite sides thereof, the plates being rotated around the core. These plates in rotating wrap the edges of the ribbon, formed by-the s ueezing rolls, around each other and aroun the core so that the ulp conforms to the shape .of the core.-

his former also causes a thorough inter mingling of thefibers of the pulp and fastens it securely to the core. It" is'to be' un derstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the construction of-forn'ier above described and shown in thedrawings, but also contemplates any apparatus for pervforming this operation limited in structure only as defined in the appended claims.

The mechanism for removing substantially all ofthe moisture from the pulp coating comprises drumsover which the core with ever, may be employed for drying out the pulp coating without departing from the spirit] and scope of the invention.

When desired the pulp coating may be marked either for decorative purposes or, in the case of electrical conductors, for identification and to distinguish them from each other. One form of marking means may comprise a strand wrapping around the pulp coating, thewrapping when desired having a color difi'erent from that of the coating.

The word pulp as used in the specification and claims is to be understood as defining and including any cohering fibrous mass whether suspended in a liquid, moist, or substantially dry.

In the accompanying drawings-- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodyin the invention;-

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, part being omitted for the sake of clearness,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation ofthe forming device;

Fig- 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the lines 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of thedrum for'conveying the core into contact with the; liquid containing Fi 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sec-,

tionsil view of the auxiliary rollfor removing free liquid from the pulp deposited on the core; I

Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged views showing the form of the pulp coating on the coreas it is deliveredirom the liquidcontaining pulp, the squeezing rolls, and former respectively;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the core and pup coating shown in Fig. 8, and ig. 12 1s a fragmentary side elevation disclosing an alternative apparatus for. applying pulp to the core an causing it to cling thereto.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which like ,referencenumerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, the core to be coated is fed from a supply 20, over an idler roll 21, and thence around a drum.22 which is part1 submerged in a liquid containing pulp within a semi-spherical trough 23. The drum 22 comprises a pair of sheet metal sides 24, Fig. "5, and a peripheral portion 25 secured thereto. The

portion 25 is provided with a plurality of .relatively large perforations 26 which are covered with a narrow strip of fine wire mesh 27. The core in passing around the drum lies upon the wire mesh 27 as is shown in Fig. 2. The drum 22 has a centrally disposed tubular axle 28 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 29 carried by a framework 30 which supports all the elements of the apparatus.

In order to apply pulp to the core as it passes over the drum 22 the pulp mixture within the drum is maintained at a lower level than that of the level of the ulp mixture in the tank 23, as indicated tiy dotted lines A and B respectively. This difference in levels is maintained by'a siphon pipe 31 which has its inlet opening submerged in the ul its 'so arge through the tubular axle 28. A continuous circulation of the pulp mixture is maintained in the tank 23 by feeding the pulp mixture from a supply tank 32 into the tank 23 and out of the said tank through a pipe 19 into a receivin tank (not shown) from which it is pumpe back into the sup- Cply tank 32 in any suitable manner. As the rum 22 carries the core thereon through the tank due to the diflerence in the levels of the liquid within the drum and the tank 23, the liquid in the tank 23 will pass through the wire mesh 27 and perforations 26, strainingthe pulp onto the outer surface of the wire mesh, and applying pulp to the core supported thereon. In order to keep the wire mesh clean prior to its reception of the coreand a new coating'of pulp, it is washed by a jet of water under pressure which is supplied through a nozzle 33.

The drum 22 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow. The core with a coating of pulp thereon leaves the drum at the top thereof, and the force of gravity, surfacetension of the liquid in the pulp mix-.

ture,; and the felting action of the pulp fibers cause it to surround the core and cling to it in substantially the form shown in Fig. :7.

From the drum 22 the core with a pulp coating thereon is passed ovdr an auxiliary roll 34- and then between a pair of squeezing rolls 35 and 36. 'These'rolls are rotatably mounted between'a pair of brackets 37 secured to an upright standard 38 supported by the framework 30. The shaft carrying the roll 36 is drive'n'through a pulley attached thereto which is actuated by a motor 39 in any suitable manner as by means of the belts 40 and 41 shown. The rolls 35 and mixture within the drum 22 and 36 preferably draw the core from the supply roll 20, over the drum 22, causing it to rotate, and thenbetween them.

The auxiliary roll 34, as shown in Fig; 6, is a hollow sheet metal drum having a hp:- ripheral slot. covered with a strip of e wire mesh 42. It has been found referable to employ the auxiliary roll 34 an to make it foraminous where it engages the core and pulp coating thereon in order that the free liquid, so to speak, may be strained oil away from the core and coating without causing a back flow of the li uid which would tend to wash ofi' the pup coating which at this stage is very soft and moist and easily removed from the core. With the free liquid removed the coating has greater strength due to a closer felting of the fibers so that when the core'an'd coating are passed through the squeezing rolls the coating wlll not be torn from the core.

The squeezing rolls may be formed ,of rubber and forced together by an suitable tension means which is ad'ust-ab e to. present the proper pressure on t e core and pulp coating as they pass between the rolls. These rolls remove the greater portion of theliquid from the pulp mixture and form the pulp into a thin ribbon which extends laterally from each side of the core asis shownin Figs. 8' and 11. This squeezing operation also tends to mat or felt the fibers intomore intimate relation, increase the tensile strength of the covering and secure it to the core. i

From the squeezing rolls the core with its ribbon pulp coating is drawn through a is first acte former which wraps the projecting ed es of the ribbon around the core and aroun each other, the a pearance of the coating after it d on by the former and after the forming action is completed being shown clearly in Figs. 9 and 10. The former causes a thorough intermingling of the pulp fibers and shapes the coating so th t it embraces the core andconforms to the shape thereof and moulds the coating into a mass so homogeneous that upon cutting the core and coating the latter .will not ay or ravel and will not become easily detached from the Core.

'have projecting tongues which are bent around two of the rods t0 pivotally sup port the lates in opposed relation to each other. ompression springs engage the rear faces 01": each of: the plates 48 and 49 and tend to force them together. The springs 50 are put under the requisite compression by means of adjusting screws 51 whichare'mounted in brackets 52 secured to the rods 45. The ends of the lates 49 and 48 adjacent the squeezing rolls 35 "and 36 are flared outwardly soas to I present a smooth surface to the core and pulp coating as they pass from the said rolls through the sleeve 46 and between the forming plates 48 and 49. The core passes from the forming plates through the sleeve 46.

The plates 48 and 49 are rapidly rotated around the core and the pulp coating thereon through the medium of a pulley 18 secured 'tothe. sleeve 46' the pulley 'being driven by the motor 39 through a belt 17 The forming plates 48 and 49 wrap the projecting edges of the pulp ribbon about each other and around the core in much the same manner as though the core and pulp ribbon were-rolled on a table topwith the palm of the hand. I

The core with its formed coating is drawn from the former and subjected to a mecha nism for thoroughl drying out the coating. The means'shown or performing this operation are a pair of widehollow drums 52 and 53 heated internally and having a plurality of grooves 53 formed thereon, Fig. 2, which receive the core, guides (not shown) being provided for directing the' core over first one drum and then the other until it has traversed all of the grooves on both drums, after which it is stored on a receiv-- ing drum 54. The drums 52 and 53 are revolvably mounted in suitable bearings carried by vertical standards supported h the framework. The receiving'drum 54 18 also revolvably mounted in bearings carried by brackets 55 supported by the framework 30 and is driven by the motor 39 through suitable belting, the drums 52 and 53 being driven from the'drum 54 also through a suitable belting system.

- Although it has been stated that theprr mary object of the invention is toapply a coatin of pulp to a core without the use of any adhesive substance, the machine herein disclosed may be used with a pulp mixture containing a sizing substance,'or the pulp may be deposited on a core which has been previousl treated with an adhesive agent, without ep'arting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

When desired the pulp coating may be marked either for decorative purposes, or in thecase of electrical conductors, for identification and todistinguish them from each other. One form of marking'means may comprise a strand server 55 of any wellknown'construction. The server 55' spirally wraps a strand around the pul coating in a manner well known to those s illed in the art. Preferably the strand is served onto a slight the coatin while the latter is still moist to egree, so that it is embedded to some extent in the pulp coating. This strand also serves to strengthen the pulp coating and hold it in place on the core, although it is to be clearly understood that such strand wrapping is not necessary to produce an entirely commercial pulp coating in ac cordance with the process herein disclosed.

An alternative form of apparatus for applying pulp to the core and permitting it to cling thereto is illustrated in Fig. 12, in which a supply tank containing the pulp mixture is provided. This tank has in communication therewith a pipe 61 terminating at its discharge end in a nozzle 62. The strand to be coated is fed below the nozzle 62 by any suitable means (not shown), the nozzlecontinuously discharging pulp mixture on top of the core. passes from beneath the nozzle it is suspended so that the pulp coating thereon is caused to cling to it. The excess pulp mixture discharged by the nozzle is caught in a pan 63 andpumped back into the supply tank 60 by any suitable means (not shown).

Although the foregoing description deals with the coating,of one core, it is clear as shown in Fig.2 that the mechanism is equally applicable to coating a plurality of cores simultaneously with pulp and individually treating the pulp on the cores to constitute a coating therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of liquid containing pulp, means for causing relative movement between the core and said liquid whereby pulp is applied to the core, means for removing liquid from the pulp coating, and means for forming said pulp so that it constitutes a coating 7 conforming with the core.

2. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with (pulp, a receptacle holdinga supply of liqui containing ulp, means for causing relative movement etween the core and liquid whereby pulp is applied to the core to form a coating, means for re moving a portion of the liquid from the pulp on the core, means for forming said pulp so that it constitutes a coating conforming with the core, and means for removing the remaining moisture from the coating.

3. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a suppy of liquid containing pulp, a foraminous carrier associated with said receptacle, means for causing relative movement between said core and the liquid whereby pulp is strained through said foraminous carrier onto the said core to constitute a coating. and means for forming said coating so that it has a curved outer surface.

4. In a machine for coating a core in After the core shaping the strand form with pulp, means for subjecting the core to a wet pulp whereby pulp is deposited thereon, means for squeezing the deposited pulp to remove excess moisture, and means for exerting pressure on the deposited pulp and core to form the pulp into a coating conforming with'the core and regrained on the core by a felting of the pulp ers.

5. In a machine for coating :1 core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of liquid containing pulp, means for bringing the core and said liquid into intimate contact and causing a relative movement between the core and pulp whereby pulp is applied to the core, and a former for shaping the pulp so that it conforms with the core, said former comprising a rotating member engaging the pulp coating.

6. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of liquid containing pulp, means for bringing the core and said liquid into intimate contact and causin a relative movement between the core and pulp whereby pulp is applied to the core, a former for ulp so that it conforms with the core, an means for causing relative lateral movement between the former and said core.

7. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of liquid containing pulp, means for bringing the core and liquid into intimate contact and causing a relative movement between the core and liquid-whereby pulp is applied to the core, and a former for shaping the pulp so that it conforms with the core, said former comprising spring pressed rotatable members engaging the pulp coating.

8. In a machine for. coating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of liquid containing pulp, means for bringing the core and said liquid into intimate contact and causing a relative movement between the core and liquid whereby pulp is applied'to the core, a former for shaping th pulp so that it conforms with the core, said former comprising members engaging the pulp at difierent points on tghe core, and means for rotating said memers.

9. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of liquidcontaining pulp, means forbringing the core and said liquid into intimate contact and causing a relative movement between the core and pulp wherebv pulp is applied to the core, a former for shaping the pulp so that it conforms with the core. said form comprising members engaging the pulp, and meansfor rotating said members around the core.

10. In a machine for coating a core in ill! a coating'conforming with the core and retained thereon'by a felting of the' pulp fibers. 11. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, means for attaching a pulp ribbon to the core longitudinally thereof, and means for wrapping said ribbon around the core to constitute a coating therefor and conforming with the core and retained thereon by a felting of thepulp fibers.

12. In amachine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of pulp, means for causing relative movem'ent between thep'ulp and the core whereby pulpis applied tothe core, means for fabricating the pulp into ribbon form, and means for wrapping said pulp 'ribbon around the core.

13. In a machine for coating alcore-in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of liquid containing pulp, means for causing relative movement between the liquid and the core whereby pulp is applied to the core, means for squeezing thepul-p coating into ribbon form, and means for wrapping the said pulp ribbon around the core.

14. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with ulp, a receptacle contain-' ing pulp, means or causing relative movement between the pulp and the core whereby pulp is applied tothe core, means for fabricating the pulp into ribbon form, spring presse members disposed in engagement with said pulp ribbon, and means for causing relative lateral movement between said.

spring pressed members and the core.

15. In a machine for'jcoating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding a supply of liquid containing pulp, auliquid removing mechanism, a former for shaplng the pulp so that it conforms with the core, and means for drawing the core into contact with the liquid and then through the liquid removing mechanism and former.

16. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, a receptacle holding "a supply of liquid" containing pulp, a carrier having a, foraminous portion and mounted in contact with said liquid, a squeezing device, a forming device for shaping the pulp so that it conforms with the core, a dryin mechanism, and means for-submitting sai core to said carrier, squeezing device, forming device and said drying mechanism.

.17. In a machine for coating a core in strand form, a receptacle holding a supply of liquid containin pulp, means for causing relative movementietween the core and the liquid whereby pulp is ap lied to the core, and means for applying a designation to the deposited pulp.

a supply of liqui 18, In a machine for coating a core in strand form, a receptacle holding 'a supply of liquid containing pulp," means for causing relative movement between the core and the liquid whereby pulp isapplied tothe core,

and means for serving a strand wrapping around the pulp on the core.

19. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, aforaminous carrier for the core, a receptacle holding a' supply of liquid containing pulp, meansfor causing relative movement between the said carrier and the liquid whereby pulp is strained onto the said core, means for forming the said pulp so that it conforms with the core, and means for serving a strand wrapping around the pulp on the core.

20. In a mechanism for coating a corein strand form, in combination a tank contain-' ing a-mixtureof pulp, a drum rotatable therein and provided on its periphery with a' foraminous portion designed to support" the core to be coated, means for maintaming a difference of pressure between the inside and outside of the drum whereby pulpwill be strained onto the core and means for forming the pulp into a'coating conforming with the core.

' 21.. In a mechanism for coating a core in strand form, in combination-atank containing a mixture of .pulp, a drum rotatable therein and provided with 'a foraminous portion on its periphery designed to contact with the core to be ,coated, means for maintaining a lower pressure within the drum tocaute a flow from the tank through the foraminous portion of the drum whereby the pulp will be strained onto the core and means for forming the pulp into a coating conforming with the core.

' 22. In a machine for coating a' core in strand form with pulp,.a receptacle holding a supply of' liquid containing pulp, means for causing relative movement between the core and said liquidv whereby a coating of pulp is a plied to the core, means for removing free liquid from the pulp on the core, and means for forming the coating so that it constitutes a covenng for the core conforming therewith.

i 23. In a machine for coating a core in Strand form with containing pulp, means for causing-relative movement between the core and the liquid whereby a coating of pulp is applied to the core, a former for working the ulp so that it constitutes a covering for t e core conforming therewith,

and a traveling member engaging the pul '(pulp, a receptacle holdinga supply of liquid containing pulp, means forcausing relative movement between the core and the liquid whereby pulp is applied to the core, means for fabricatingthe pulp into a coating surrounding the core, the outer surface of said coating being substantially equi-distant from the core at all points, and means for removin substantially all of the moisture from said coating.

25. In a machine for coating a core in strand form with pulp, means for attaching a pulpribbon to the core, and means for.

fabricating the said ribbon so that it surrounds the core to form a coating, the outer surface of said coating being substantially equi-distant from the core at all points and retained on the core by a felting of the pulp fibers.

26. In a machinefor' coatin a core in strand form with pulp, means ibr applying pulp to the core and means for forming the applied pulp to cause a felting of the pulp fibres whereby said coating surrounds the core and is retained thereon by the felting of the pulp fibres.

27. In a machine for-coating a core in strand form with pulp, means for applying a pulp coating on the .core, and means for serving a strand wrapping around the said coating.

28. In a machine for coating a metallic core in strand form, means for applying unfinished paper free of adhesive material to the core and means for completing the fabrication of the paper on the core to cause a felting of the pulp fibres and to impart thereto a curved outer surface, whereby said paper surrounds the core and is retained thereon by the feltin of the pulp fibres.

29. In a machine %or coating a metallic core in strand form, means for applying unfinished paper free of adhesive material in a wet state to the core and means for drying and completing the fabrication of the paper on the core to cause a felting of the 'fibres and impart thereto a curved outer surface.

30. In a. machine for coating a metallic core in strand form, means for applying unfinished paper in ribbon form to the core,

of the and means for completing the fabrication of the paper ribbon into a coating for the core cores, and means for individually forming said pulp on each core so that it constitutes acoating conforming therewith.

.32. In a machine for coating a plurality of cores in strand form, means for applying unfinished paper free of adhesive material to the cores, and means for individually completing the fabrication of the paper on each core to cause a felting of the fibres of the paper andto constitute a coating surroundmg each core.

33. In a machine for coating a plurality of cores in strand form with pulp means for attaching pulp to the cores, means for forming said pulp into individual ribbons on each core, and means for individually forming said ribbons so that they constitute a coating surrounding each core and conforming therewith.

34. In a machine for coating a core in strand form, means for applying unfinished paper free of adhesive material to the core, and means for completing the fabrication of the aper on the core to cause a felting bres of the paper and to impart to the coating a curved outer surface.

35. In a machine for coating a core in strand form, means for applying unfinished aper free of adhesive material in ribbon.

orm to the core, and means for completing the fabrication of the paper ribbon into a coating surroundin the core conforming substantiallv with the core and retained on the core by a felting of the pulp fibers.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 25 day of March A. 10., 1922.

' HOWARD GEORGE WALKER.

ALBERT THOMAS MARCH. 

